Van man attempts Halifax girl abduction

A seven-year-old girl has fought off an attempt by a man to abduct her near Halifax, said West Yorkshire Police.

The girl was approached in Mixenden by a man in a white van at about 18:00 BST on Tuesday.

The man is believed to have taken hold of the girl and told her she was going with him but she managed to kick him and run off.

It is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the past month in the Calderdale area, police said.

The force, which is appealing for witnesses to the attempted abduction, is investigating a report of a similar man in a similar vehicle approaching two 13-year-old girls walking along Pellon Lane, Halifax, at about 19:30 BST.

Police have issued a description of a man they want to speak to, He is described as Asian, in his 20s with a pierced lip, and was wearing a blue beanie hat and black tracksuit.

They are also investigating an incident in Sowerby Bridge in September when an eight-year-old girl was approached by a man in a dark van.

Supt Martin Lister said: "I would ask people to remain vigilant and alert but not to be alarmed."